Higante – Philippine Spirits

Bungisngis – Kapampangan Translation

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 05:19:20 +0000

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

“Keni na, malapit na!” Pupulayi ya I Jason king burul. King panamdaman ng Nick maybug ya rugung makbung ing keyang pusu. Alya kasi itang atletikung anak, at ena buring payalala da kaya ing katutwan nayta, oneng kaluguran ne I Jason, pane yang malelyari ita at kadwa na ne king biye ing pamagsubuk ka reng panibayung bage.

Memagkasakit ya rugu I Nick king pamanukyat na kaybat tambing ne mung miragsa karas na king babo. Atsu ne man pane I Jason king siping na, kukutnan ne nung ayus ya mu, kanyan, ene makapaninaya king tula ng ipakit kaya ing itsura king lalam ning burul, “Nanung ke astigan na niting pepaglakaran mu ku kareng burul burul a reni kaybat —–” Saka na ikit Nick.

Libingan ya pala, pero alya itang karaniwan a sukuan. Atsu king dosi, bala dina-dinalang butul ning damulag ing makalatag king paligid ning kabitisan ning burul. “O siya, istu ka pin, astig ya pin ini,” bulung ng Nick. “Akuna keka e,” ngana namang Jason, “Pero ali me pa akakit ing pekamabias a parti.”

Etad nong Jason king gubat a butul. Apansinan ng Nick na ela kumpletu deng butul, ating mangadagul a pirasung mababating, lalu na king gulut. Ena iisipan na masanting yang pamikiran ini, pero atsu ne man ing pamagtiwala na kang Jason, at pane naman masale, maralas.

“E tamu masigla, atsu keni,” pangabulung ng Jason. “Siryosu?” Lalawen neng Nick ing pamaglupa ning batu a buri ng ukyatang Jason. “E ta masigla akuna, eme buring migising ini” tekap neng Jason ing gamat na king asbuk ng Nick. “Siryosu kung mayap.”

Sinaguli kanyan, ginalo ya ing gabun kaybat pingwa neng Jason ing gamat ng Nick saka ne binili king lalam na ning punu, “Nanu ita!?” Manganerbyusan ne rugu ing Nick. Saka neng tirung Jason ing babo at ikit neng Nick ing rasun. Makatakut yang tutu, mas maragul ya pa ka reng punu saka ya mangulisak bala mung kulug.

“Enaka ta akit king lalam ning punung ayni, keni tana manaya manga man king mibalik ya king pamanudtud na.” Nganang Jason. “Magdala kung pamangan.”

Migbuntung pangisnawa ne I Nick, makanini talaga ing malelyari patse kayabe ne I Jason.

=————————=
English Version

“Come on it’s over here!” Jason was running over the hill. Nick felt his heart almost burst. He wasn’t the most athletic child and he didn’t like being reminded of that fact, but this was always how it went and Jason was his best friend so being pushed to do new things was a fact of life.

Nick struggled up the last few steps of the hill and he dropped as soon as he reached the top. Jason was by his side as always, asking if he was okay, but this time he was more exited to get Nick to look below the hill. “What could be so cool that you made me walk through a bunch of hills and—–“ Then Nick saw it.

It was a graveyard, but not by any normal standards. Dozens, maybe hundreds of carabao skeletons were scattered around the foot of the hill. “Okay, you were right, this is really cool,” Nick whispered. “Told you so,” Jason replied, “But you haven’t seen the coolest part.”

Jason led them though the skeletal forest. Nick noticed that the bones were never complete, there were giant chunks of them missing, mostly from the back, he didn’t think this was a good idea, but he trusted Jason and that always worked out fine. Mostly.

“Be very quiet. It’s through here,” Jason whispered. “Seriously?” Nick was looking at the rock face Jason wanted them to climb. “I said be quiet, you don’t want to wake it up.” Jason clamped his hand over Nick’s mouth. “I’m dead serious.”

Suddenly the ground shook. Jason grabbed Nick’s arm and he dragged him under a nearby tree. “What was that?!” Nick was starting to get frantic. Jason pointed upwards and Nick saw the cause. It was terrifying. It towered over the trees and it roared with a voice like thunder.

“It won’t see us from under this tree, we should wait until it goes back to sleep again,” Jason said. “I brought food.”

Nick sighed. Stuff like this always happened with Jason.

=—————————-=

* Kapampangan, Pampango, or the Pampangan language is a major Philippine language. It is primarily spoken in the province of Pampanga, southern Tarlac, and northeastern Bataan. Kapampangan is also spoken in some municipalities of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, by various Aeta groups of Central Luzon, and in scattered communities within the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. The language is known honorifically as Amánung Sísuan (“breastfed, or nurtured, language”)

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by April Christian L. De Leon, MAEd

Inspired by the Bungisngis entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971. and in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015

Bungisngis Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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Bekat – Cuyonon Translation

admin — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 04:56:03 +0000

*Note this story is in Cuyonon

Ingdara ang pangalamo ang angin alin sa kasaplan.

Usá? Békén. Iba anang pangalamo.

Arabuay. Naélaman ko dia.

Anang paningot, isara sa anang ing papabugal, ay midyo maroya dading gabi. Sa mga normal nga adlaw, kaya na maélaman kung anonong ayép maski sa marayéng distansya, paagi sa pangalamo lamang.

Tama.

Tao.

Békén ang midyo malam dén, ig matégas. Dagi malémék pa anang onod. Aglébas dén da ang marakéng adlaw na ara tana kakakaén i mga kabatan. Mas madasig sanda kaysa sa mga malam, atagamtam pa sa anang dila ang matamis na lasa i andang onod pagkatapos na i kaénén.

Tatlo?

Békén. Darwa lamang.

Aga pabaskég sa anang léba ang amot ang angin. Dorong kasabor sa anang pamati. Saka lalaki. Pito ka dagon anang idad, ingkékélban ig ingolasan mayad. Midyo mabaél anang lawas. Ang sakabilog, babai. Mi rilasyon sa lalaki. Isarang daraga. Tana maman ang agapangona kanandang darwa sa andang pag-agi sa kagéban. Agapangona papakon kanana, anang onang pagkaén sa aglébas na pira ka adlaw. Ang mga mayrinték na mga ayép maman ang naging pagkaén ang babai na iganti sa pira ka dominggo nga aglébas. Ing dadara na sa anang kwiba, na kung sadin ang kalayo maman ang nagaonong sa anang mapongaw na kabui.

Maski sa ibang mga iganti, tana ing lilipi-lipi lamang. Békén tana mabaskég pariho ang Bungisngis, ang makaradlék na Dambuhala, o ang ingsompang si Sarimao. Tana si Bekat, isarang babai na iganti na kakapangalamo. Ig dading adlaw, tana inggégétém.

Ang mga kabatan ay sa parti ang kagéban na marapit sa suba.

Sakto. Mamawgasan na na lagi ang karni. Ag bél tana mabaél na sanga na naolog sa kaoy ang narra para umpisan anang pangaso.

Dato roman ang pangalamo.

Basi sa pangalamo, makokon na na parihong ingolasan ang darwa ka bata, andang kélba asisintian na agaloa sa andang lawas.

Agagarokgok dén anang tyan sa kagétém. Ang dapat na lamang boatén ay makarapit maité, ig ilampés ang sanga. Kaysara lamang.

Ag ogiaw ang daraga, na ag taw timpo para sa anang libayén kadalagan.

Ing dakép ni Bekat ang daraga, mintras aga pélég-pélég na makaboliaw sa anang awid.

Mi napangalamoan si Bekat sa daraga, isarang pamot? Indi tana maliag ag kaén dato, midyo tana akaén kemikal.

Timpo rén para lémésén na ang daraga. Ang maramig na tobig ang suba ay siguradong mababanlawan ig maminosan ang pangalamo ang pamot.

“Arabuay!” makon ang daraga. “Indi mo ako lémésén, akéng onod magiging matégas!”

Ag isip si Bekat, siguro dato manda rason kung ayamo matérégas anang mga nakaén dati. Ag gorang ang iganti, ang daraga sigi pa ang pélég-pélég.

“Hmmmm.. Ano akéng bubuatén kanimo?”

“Pabayan mo ako kaoli. Dadaran ta kaw mas marakéng mga tao”

“Kaya ta kamo i-kaénén tanan kung mi tsansa ako. Piro ministir ko lamang ang makakaén maité.”

“Tay anono imong naliagang pagkaén?”

“Datong midyo maonod ig masabaw.”

“Pwidi ko itaw kanimo akéng libayén! Pabayan mo ako kaoli para mabél ko tana.”

“Pasamoro kung ag palagiaw kaw?”

“Indi ako ag palagiaw, matod!

Ing pabayan ni Bekat na kaoli ang daraga, ig ag élat tana.

Ag salép ang adlaw, ig ag élat tana para éngéd.

Ag kasésérémén dén, ig aga élat tana para éngéd.

“Dyaski! Aloko ako roman.” Makon tana sa anang sadili.

Békén dia ang primirong timpo na naloko tana, ig békén dan ang oring timpo. Anang baskég kapariho anang kakabosan.

Kasingot tana pangalamo ang usá sa angin.

Ig agpadayon tana sa pangaso.

=—————————-=

English Version

The scent was carried by the western wind.

Deer? No not gamey enough.

Wait. I know this one.

The olfactory sense, the one she was most proud of was weak tonight. In normal days she could identify the musk of a carabao or even the scent of freshly cut undergrowth at a great distance.

Yes.

Humans.

Not the stringy kind, she thought, much more tender.

It had been a while since she had eaten juveniles. They were faster than the older ones, but the sweet taste of their flesh lingered on her tongue, long after that meal.

Three?

No. Two.
The wafting of the breeze emboldened her.

A great vintage. She said to no one in particular.

One male. Seven years old, very nervous. Sweating too much. A bit heavy set.

Another one. Female. Related to the boy. Old enough to have passed puberty. She seems to be the one leading them both through the forest.

Leading them to her first meal in a while.

Small game was what the giantess had been subsisting on for the past few weeks. She brought them to her cave, the soft light of the small fire exuding some form of comfort in her bleak existence.

She was an outcast even among the giants. She was not the strong Bungisngis, the fearsome Dambuhala or the oath sworn Sarimao.

She was Bekat, the giantess who could smell.

And today she was hungry.

The humans were in the part of the forest where the river ran.

Perfect. She could wash the meat without having to inconvenience herself.

She took a large log, felled from a narra tree and started her hunt.

That smell again.

She could tell by the scent that both of them were sweating, their adrenaline seeping out of their bodies.

Her belly growled. All she had to do was get close enough for one swipe. Just one.

The girl screamed, giving ample time for the boy to run away.

Bekat grabbed her quarry, the girl struggling to escape her grasp.

She smelled something on the girl, a kind of perfume or a lip balm? Bekat never liked eating those, they tasted like chemicals and preservatives.

It was time to drown her prey. The cold waters of the river would rush away any unwanted flavors.

“Wait!” The girl said. “Do not drown me giant, my flesh will be tough!”

Bekat reflected, had all her drowned prey been tough to chew? That may have been the case.

The giantess sat down, the girl still struggling against her grip.

“Hmmm.. How should I deal with you, child?”

“You could release me, giant. I can bring you many more humans.”

“I could not eat all of you given the chance. I only want a light meal.”

“then what kind of meal do you want to have?”

“Something plump and juicy.”
“I can get you my brother! All you need is to let me go and I can bring him!”
“What if you run away?”
“I will not, I promise.”
So Bekat let her go and waited.

The sun set and she waited.

Twilight passed and she waited.

“Damn, fooled again,” she said.

It was not the first time she was tricked like this and it wouldn’t be the last. Her strength equaled her ignorance.

She smelled a whiff of deer in the air.

And resumed her hunt.

–===================================–

*Cuyonon is a regional Visayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan, and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cuyonon Translation provided by Arlan Belen
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Arlan Belen

Inspired by the Bekat description in The Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology, Maximo Ramos, Phoenix Publishing, 1990.

Bekat Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Bungisngis – Hiligaynon Translation

admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 11:38:21 +0000

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Lakat diri, ari diri!” Si Jason nagadalagan sa lampas sa babaw sang bungyod. Nabatyagan ni Nick ang iya kasing-kasing nga daw malupok. Indi gid man siya ang pinaka-mabukod nga bata kag indi siya kauyon nga padumdumon sang ini, apang amo gid ini ang pierme nagakahitabo kag si Jason iya labing maayo nga abyan gani ang mapilitan magbuhat sang mga bag-o nga butang daw bahin na sang iya kabuhi.

Nabudlayan gid si Nick sang mga ulihi nga metro pasaka sa bungyod kag naghigda siya sang nakadab-ot na siya sa babaw. Si Jason ara man lang sa tupad niya, nagapamangkot kung okey lang siya, pero sa ini nga tion nakunyag siya nga patanawon si Nick sa dalum sang bungyod. “Ano gid ang tigas dira nga ginpalakat mo ako pila ka bungyod kag….” Amo ato ang pagkakita ni Nick.

May sementeryo sa dalum, pero indi ordinaryo nga sementeryo. Pila ka dosena, basi ginatos pa nga kalabera sang karabaw daw gin lapta sa tiilan sang bungyod. “Okey ah, ensakto ka, grabe gid man ini gali, “ hutik ni Nick. “Siling ko gid sa imo ih,” sabat ni Jason, “Pero wala mo pa nakita ang pinaka-tigas nga parte.”

Gindala siya ni Jason sa kalasangan sang mga kalabera. Nadiparahan ni Nick nga ang mga tul-an indi kumpleto, may mga bahin sang mga kalabera nga wala na, laban ang mga bahin sa likod, pamatyag ni Nick nga indi ini maayo nga magsigue pa sila lakat sa sementeryo sang mga kalabera sang karabaw, pero may salig man siya kay Jason kag laban-laban sa maayo man lang ang nagakahitabo sa punta. Laban-laban.

“Hipos ka lang, ari diri ang alagyan, “ hutik ni Jason sa iya. “Tu-od bala?” Ginatan-aw ni Nick ang daw bukid sang bato nga gusto ni Jason ila taklason. “Siling ko sa imo hipos lang bala, basi ma pukawan mo pa siya.” Gintakpan ni Jason ang baba ni Nick sang iya kamot, “Seryoso ko bala.”

Gulpi lang nag-uyog ang duta. Ginkaptan ni Jason ang butkon ni Nick kag iya siya ginbutong pakadto sa dalum sang isa ka kahoy. “Nano ‘to man?!” Nagasalasala na si Nick. May ginatudlo si Jason sa babaw kag nakita ni Nick kung ano ang nagpa-uyog sang duta. Makakululba. Mas ta-as pa sang sa mga kahoy kag may boses nga daw dagu-ob.

“Indi niya kita makita kung ari lang ‘ta sa dalum sang kahoy, mahulat lang ‘ta asta matulugan siya liwat,” siling ni Jason. “May dala man ako nga pagkaon.”

Nanghayhay si Nick. Amo lang ‘ni pierme nagakatabo kung upod si Jason.

=————————————————————–=

English Version

“It won’t see us from under this tree, we should wait until it goes back to sleep again,” Jason said. “I brought food.”

Nick sighed. Stuff like this always happened with Jason.

=———————————————————–=

*The Hiligaynon language, also colloquially referred often by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, mainly in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group, mainly the Hiligaynons. It is the second-most widely spoken language and a member of the so-named Visayan language family and is more distantly related to other Philippine languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Hiligaynon translation by Stephen A. Matti

Inspired by the Bungisngis entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971. and in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015

Bungisngis Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Aniani – Waray Translation

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 09:29:29 +0000

*Note this story is in Waray

“Sayo nala nga tsansa! Mao nala ak puyde mahatag saim bago ko ikaw tanggalon!” Ginlamba niya an purtahan ngan nahibilin si Josh nga nag iisip kun paanano niya mahihimuan paagi an sitwasyon.

Upat ka bulan nga problema sa pagbyahe an kanya gin-aatubang. Imposible nga an pag-upay kay mahuhuman dayon kahuman sa mga panhitabo, o bangin sabotahe samtang gin kukunbinsir ni Josh an kanya amo. Kadamo ura-ura sa mga dudrungan nga panhitabo para magin iba la ine.

Sa una nga bulan kay may landslide nga nahitabo ngan napunggan an bug-os nga kalsada. Tulo ka semana nga paglimpyo sa mga bato an dapat himuon ngan grabe ura-ura an gastos. Harani na sa pagigin over budget in nga trabahuon ngan dire na maupay.

Kahuman sa pira ka semana, bug-os na mismo nga mga trak an nagkakawara ngan dire nira mahibaruan kun sin-o may sala. Bisan padamuon pa an paragbantay kay wara gihapon pulos kay uro-utro la an nahitatabo ngan nagtikadako la an kanra gasto. Di na naruyag si Josh nga sugad nala siton pirme. Iba an basulon sa imo sala, pero maaram siya ginhimo la niya an mga tama nga butang. Yaon gud sine may sala, dapat yaon gud.

Naghulat si Josh sa construction site. Maaram siya nga pag abat sa iba nga trabahante mali na siya napapalingki, pero wara siya labot siton, mao pa nga yaon dapat himuon nga trabahuon. Mabug-at an kamera nga kanya dara, di siya danay namamati pero di man siya bungog. Delikado na an kanya trabaho, mao nga di na siya matuyang nga di kuhaon an tsansa sa kanya kinabuhi. Bisan nano nga ebidensya sap ag sabotahe kay puyde na para la mahibaruan nga dire siya an may sala.

Mga alas dos sa kaadlawon san yaon siya nahumot nga mali nasusunog. Naisip niya nga mao na ine an kanya tsansa, yaon naruyag sunugon an kanra trabahuan. Mao nga dinalagan dayon siya tikadto sa mabaho nga nahuhumot samtang dara-dara niya an kamera.

Paglabay sa tulo kaadlaw, ginlabog sa amo an mga nabilin nga gamit ni Josh ngadto sa basurahan. “Kakarag”. Wara gud niya naisip nga talawan si Josh pero ananuhon man nga may mga tawo nga di gud masarigan. “Nilarga siguro kay kadako ura-ura sine nga responsibilidad”, kanya sugad sa kanya kahampang. “Yana ako lugod an maglilimpyo sine nga kanya mga samok.”

An nahibilin nala kay an kamera ni Josh. Gin imdan sa kanya amo an mga piktyur pero wara siya iba nga naimdan kundi puro manla mga lawas saa puno. “Kawara pulos”, mao an kanya nabagaw samtang ginlalabog niya iton sa basurahan.

=———————————————————————————-=

English Version

“One more chance! That’s all I’m giving you before you’re fired!” The door slammed shut and Josh was left wondering how he could salvage the situation.

Four months of logistical nightmares were staring him in the face. There was no way the development could be completed after the setbacks, or sabotage as Josh kept trying to convince his boss. Too many coincidences were happening for it to be anything else.

The first month a landslide happened, completely cutting off the road. 3 painstaking weeks of clearing the rocks had to be done at a very expensive cost. The project was already dangerously close to becoming over budget and that tipped the scales.

A few weeks later whole trucks were being stolen and no one could find the culprit. Increasing the security was useless since it just kept happening and more money was being spent. Josh couldn’t handle it anymore. It was one thing to be blamed for your own mistakes, but he knew he did everything right. There was someone behind this, there had to be.

Josh waited at the construction site. He knew his workers were thinking he was crazy, but he couldn’t care about that, not when he had work to be done. The camera felt heavy in his hands, he was stubborn, but he wasn’t stupid. His job was already at risk, he wasn’t going to take chances on his life. Any evidence of sabotage would be enough to clear him of any fault.

It was about 2 AM when he smelled smoke. He knew this was his chance; someone was trying to set the compound on fire. He ran towards the acrid smell with his camera ready.

Three days later his boss tossed the remains of Josh’s belongings in the garbage. “What a waste.” The man never thought that Josh would be a coward, but people had a way of disappointing you. “He probably ran away because it was too much responsibility,” he said to no one in particular “Now I have to clean up his mess.”

The last thing that was left was Josh’s camera. His boss looked through the pictures and saw nothing but tree trunks. “Useless,” He said as he tossed it in the trash.

=—————————————————————————————=

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Jmee Juanerio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jmee Juanerio

Inspired by the Aniani entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Aniani Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Rajo

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 08:03:41 +0000

There is a tale passed down from the gods about the giant and the moon.

They speak in hushed tones about what transpires every eclipse yet will not take responsibility for their part of the story.

It began on the slopes of Mount Macolot.

Now the gods were careful about their mysteries. They knew that if mortals would gain access to their secret pandemonium would occur and the world would be changed forever.

So, they hid their elixir away from the prying eyes of mortals, and with it, the mystery of immortality.

That is, until the giant came.

To this day the gods are unclear about how the giant tasted the elixir.

Some say the giant snuck his way in and hid beneath a rock, eavesdropping on the conversations of the gods.

Others say the giant was a mortal ruler in disguise that spied on the gods until he saw how the elixir was made.

In another land they say that the giant was a demon that was tricked by the gods. In this story the gods and demons churned the milk ocean to extract the elixir (called the amrita). The sun and moon noticed him, though at this point the demon had imbibed the elixir and was thus immortal. Its head was cut off and both the head and its body chased the moon and the sun during eclipses.

However the giant managed to get a taste of the elxir, the result was the same.

The knowledge of the elixir and of eternal youth was spread through the lands of men.

The gods did not let that stand, of course. Angered by this trespass they searched in vain for the perpetrator. That is, until the moon answered their calls.

The gods demanded that the moon tell them who took the secret of the elixir and the moon surrendered the giant.

The giant, in turn, chased the moon and tried to swallow it up.

From there the world of men would never be the same for it was then that mortals noticed the eclipse of the moon.

The gods have since been careful about the secret elixir of immortality, hiding its mysteries from mortal and demon alike.

=————————=——————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Adapted from Aurelio P. Arguelles. Batangas Folktales. From the National Library of the Philippines, H. Otley Beyer Ethnographic Collection. http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph/OB01/NLPOBMN0037001055/home.htm and Jose P. Caedo. “Kinain ñg Lajo.” From the National Library of the Philippines, H. Otley Beyer Ethnographic Collection. http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph/OB01/NLPOBMN0037001056/home.htm

Rajo Illustration by Alvin Gasga

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Bungisngis – Tagalog Translation

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:11:35 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Halika, nandito o!” Tumatakbo si Jason sa taas ng burol. Naramdaman ni Nick na halos sumabog na ang kanyang puso. Hindi siya ang pinaka-atletikong bata at hindi niya gusto na laging ipinapaalala sa kanya iyon, pero ganito lagi ang nangyayari at si Jason ang pinakamatalik niyang kaibigan kaya ang pagtulak sa kanya upang gumawa ng mga bagong bagay ay isang katotohanan ng buhay.

Nahirapan si Nick sa mga huling hakbang ng burol at bumagsak niya nang marating niya ang tuktok. Nasa tabi niya si Jason kagaya ng dati, tinatanong kung ayos lang ba siya, pero ngayon ay mas sabik itong mapatingin si Nick sa baba ng burol. “Ano bang kahanga-hanga dito at nagawa mo akong palakarin sa mga burol at —,“ At nakita ito ni Nick.

Isa iyong sementeryo, pero hindi sa normal na pamantayan. Dose-dosena, maaaring nasa isang daan na mga kalansay ng mga kalabaw ang nagkalat sa paanan ng burol. “O sige, tama ka, kahanga-hanga nga ito,” bulong ni Nick. “Sabi sa’yo e,” sagot ni Jason, “Pero hindi mo pa nakikita yung pinakakahanga-hangang parte.”

Pinangunahan sila ni Jason sa kagubatan ng mga kalansay. Napansin ni Nick na hindi kumpleto ang mga kalansay, may mga malalaking tipak ang mga nawawala, marami rito ay sa bandang likuran. Hindi niya naisip na magandang ideya ito, pero pinagkakatiwalaan niya si Jason at laging nagiging maayos naman ang lahat. Kadalasan.

“Manahimik ka. Nandito na iyon,” bulong ni Jason. “Seryoso?” Tinitingnan ni Nick ang matigas na mukha ni Jason na gustong umakyat. “Ang sabi ko manahimik ka, hindi mo gugustuhing magising iyon.” Inilapat ni Jason ang kamay niya sa bibig ni Nick. “Seryoso ako.”

Walang ano-ano’y yumanig ang lupa. Hinablot ni Jason ang braso ni Nick at hinila siya sa ilalim ng pinakamalapit na puno. “Ano iyon?!” Nagsimulang maging aligaga si Nick. Tumuro si Jason pataas at nakita ni Nick ang dahilan. Nakakatakot iyon. Mas mataas pa iyon sa mga puno at umungol ito ng may boses na parang kulog.

“Hindi tayo makikita njyan mula dito sa ilalim ng puno, dapat tayong maghintay hanggang sa makatulog ulit iyan,” sabi ni Jason. “Nagdala ako ng pagkain.”

Napabuntong-hininga si Nick. Nangyayari talaga ang mga ganitong bagay kapag kasama si Jason

=——————————————————————-=

English Version

“It won’t see us from under this tree, we should wait until it goes back to sleep again,” Jason said. “I brought food.”

Nick sighed. Stuff like this always happened with Jason.

=——————————————–=

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog translation by Catherine Britania
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Catherine Britania

Inspired by the Bungisngis entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971. and in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015

Bungisngis Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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Angngalo / Añgalo – Tagalog Translation

admin — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:45:07 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Tinitigan ni Migo ang kanyang takdang-aralin sa heograpiya at hindi niya malaman ang gagawin niya; masyadong maraming kailangang kabisaduhin at hindi sapat ang oras para rito. Sigurado siyang babagsak siya sa pagsusulit.

“Kapag nagbabasa ka ng mapa, hindi lang mga pangalan at lugar ang mahahanap mo.” Sabi ng lolo niya mula sa kanyang likuran. “Lolo! Huwag mong gawin iyan, natakot ako sa iyo!” Tumawa si Lolo Abay, madalas siyang magbiro nang ganito sa kanyang mga apo.

“Heto, ipapakita ko sa iyo.” Kinuha ni Lolo Abay ang mapa at inilapag niya ito sa hapag kainan. “May mga bagay na hindi na itinuturo sa inyong mga bata sa paaralan ngayon.”

“Ano ang lugar na ito?” Tumuro si Lolo Abay sa isang bahagi ng Luzon.

“Pangasinan?” Hindi sigurado si Migo, pero alam niyang naroon banda iyon. “Tama. Ngayon, ano ang kuwento tungkol sa kabundukang iyon?” Masinsinan siyang tinitigan ni Lolo Abay. “Hindi ko alam, pero halos sigurado akong sasabihin mo sa akin.” Tinitigan din ni Migo ang kanyang lolo. “Tama ka rin diyan.”

“Matagal na panahon na ang nakalipas, naiwala ng higanteng si Añgalo ang kanyang alagang baboy at naglakbay siya sa isla ng Luzon. Noong naroon siya sa bahaging iyon, waring nakita niya ang baboy sa Cagayan malapit sa Cape Engaño. Naglakad siya at tinahak ang kabundukan, at sa huli ay natuklasan niyang isang malaking tumpok ng itim na putik lang pala ang kanyang nakita.” Ngumiti si Lolo Abay.

“Teka, ano’ng kinalaman niyon sa heograpiya?” Tanong ni Migo. “Noong tinahak ni Añgalo ang kabundukan, nawasak ito sa ilalim ng kanyang mga yabag at naroon pa rin ang bakas ng kanyang kanang paa sa kabundukan ng Cagayan at Pangasinan, at matatagpuan naman ang bakas ng kanyang kaliwang paa malapit sa Cordilleras,” sagot ni Lolo Abay.

“Salamat sa kuwento, lolo, pero hindi iyon ang paksa ng takdang-aralin ko.” Binawi ni Migo ang mapa at inilapag niya ito sa tabi ng kanyang laptop. “Hindi ko alam kung paano ako matutulungan niyon sa pagsusulit ko.”

“Ang buhay ay hindi tungkol sa mga pagsusulit,” sabi ni Lolo Abay sa kanyang apo.

“Para ito sa mga taong kailangang magsagot ng pagsusulit,” sagot ni Migo.

Tumawa si Lolo Abay. Dati pa niyang batid na magiging matalino si Migo, kahit noong sanggol pa ang kanyang apo. “Aba sige, maiwan na kita diyan sa pag-aaral mo, pero pakatandaan mo, lahat ng lugar ay may kuwento, kahit hindi mo pa naririnig ito.”

Hinintay ni Migo na makalabas sa kuwarto ang kanyang lolo, saka siya tumitig sa kanyang computer. Sinimulan niyang hanapin ang mga lugar na kailangan niyang kabisaduhin para sa kanyang takdang-aralin, at napagtanto niyang tama ang kanyang lolo.

Maaari pa pala siyang makapasa sa kanyang pagsusulit.

=———————————————————=

English Version

Migo, started to stare at his geography homework and he didn’t know what to make of it, too many things to memorize and not enough time. He was going to fail the test, he was sure of it.

“When you read a map, names and places aren’t the only things that you can find.” His lolo said from behind him. “Lolo! Don’t do that, you scared me!” Lolo Abay laughed, he was always playing those kinds of tricks on his grandchildren.

“Here, let me show you.” Lolo Abay took the map and set it on the kitchen table. “There are some things they don’t teach you kids at school anymore.”

“What is this place?” Lolo Abay pointed to an area in Luzon.

“Pangasinan?” Migo was unsure, but it should be in that area. “Correct,” now what is the story about those mountains?” Lolo Abay stared intently at him. “I don’t know but I’m pretty sure you’re going to tell me.” Migo stared back. “Also correct.”

“A long time ago the giant, Añgalo, lost his pet pig and went around the island of Luzon. He was in that area when he thought he saw the pig in Cagayan near Cape Engaño. He walked across the mountains only to find that what he was looking at was nothing but a pile of black mud.” Lolo Abay smiled.

“Wait, what does that have to do with geography?” Migo asked. “When Añgalo crossed the mountains, they crumbled beneath his feet and the mountains of Cagayan and Pangasinan still have the footprint of his right foot and his left footprint can be seen near the Cordilleras,” Lolo Abay replied.

“Thanks for the story, lolo, but that wasn’t the topic of my homework.” Migo took back the map and set it down by his laptop. “I don’t know how that’s going to help me with my quiz.”

“Life isn’t about quizzes,” Lolo Abay said to his grandson.

“They are for those who have to take them,” Migo replied.

Lolo Abay laughed. He always knew that Migo was going to be clever, even when his grandson was a baby. “Well I’ll leave you to your studies, but remember, every place has a story, even if it you don’t hear it.”

Migo waited until his lolo left the room and stared at his computer. He started looking up the places that he had to memorize for his homework and he realized his lolo was right.

Maybe he would pass the test after all.

=——————————————————-=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Inspired by ‘Some Fragments of the Añgalo Legend’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Añgalo Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay

Aniani

admin — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 04:55:21 +0000

“One more chance! That’s all I’m giving you before you’re fired!” The door slammed shut and Josh was left wondering how he could salvage the situation.

It was about 2 AM when he smelled smoke. He knew this was his chance; someone was trying to set the compound on fire. He ran towards the acrid smell with his camera ready.

The last thing that was left was Josh’s camera. His boss looked through the pictures and saw nothing but tree trunks. “Useless,” He said as he tossed it in the trash.

————————–————————–——————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Aniani entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Aniani Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Bungisngis

admin — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 04:49:09 +0000

“It won’t see us from under this tree, we should wait until it goes back to sleep again,” Jason said. “I brought food.”

Nick sighed. Stuff like this always happened with Jason.

————————–————————–————————–—

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Bungisngis entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971. and in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015

Bungisngis Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

Añgalo

admin — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 04:40:38 +0000

Migo started to stare at his geography homework and he didn’t know what to make of it, too many things to memorize and not enough time. He was going to fail the test, he was sure of it.

“Here, let me show you.” Lolo Abay took the map and set it on the kitchen table. “There are some things they don’t teach you kids at school anymore.”

“What is this place?” Lolo Abay pointed to an area in Luzon.
“Pangasinan?” Migo was unsure, but it should be in that area. “Correct,” now what is the story about those mountains?” Lolo Abay stared intently at him. “I don’t know but I’m pretty sure you’re going to tell me.” Migo stared back. “Also correct.”

“Thanks for the story, lolo, but that wasn’t the topic of my homework.” Migo took back the map and set it down by his laptop. “I don’t know how that’s going to help me with my quiz.”

“Life isn’t about quizzes,” Lolo Abay said to his grandson.

“It is for those who have to take them,” Migo replied.

Migo waited until his lolo left the room and stared at his computer. He started looking up the places that he had to memorize for his homework and he realized his lolo was right.

Maybe he would pass the test after all.

————————–————————–————————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by ‘Some Fragments of the Añgalo Legend’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Añgalo Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay
Tumblr: Glassy-draws.tumblr.com